From the catchy beats of her biggest hit to date, "Ex Old Man," to the powerful and emotional vocals of "He Loves to Make Me Cry," Kristen Kelly showed off her evident talent in just those two singles, and the following self-titled EP. This is the first new music since that EP released in 2012, and shows the changes Kelly has made to her sound, and the more mature side of her music.

​The lead single of this EP was the upbeat "Kiss By Kiss." Released in late May of last year, it was set up to be a summer jam. The country-pop oriented production and laid-back lyrics and vocals spelled a hit, and this seems like the perfect follow up and addition to the rest of Kelly's singles. But like many other women in country have found, even with a radio-ready song, it is difficult to get any airplay. Despite this, the single was very well received by the fans, and a good introduction to Kelly's new EP and music.

Kelly kicks up the pace of the EP with the country-rock tinged "Renegade." Driven by electric guitars, this is a point on the EP where Kelly shows off her vocals and the extent of the power behind them. This happens again on the last track of the EP, a similar track, "Bad Decisions," where Kelly's voice shines. But there is such thing as an overload of songs like this, especially on a collection of songs as short as this. "Renegade" is the highlight out of these two, however.

The best track on this EP is the one and only ballad, "Getting Over Someone." Kelly has not been one to lean towards ballads, with the only song on her last EP even somewhat close to one being "He Loves To Make Me Cry." But this track is a real ballad, and a beautiful one at that. Kelly tells the story that the title explains: getting over someone. Written by Kelly with Ben Danaher, the first few lines of the track are the most powerful lyrics of the whole EP. Kelly sings, "Ain't no need to hide the tears in your eyes/Ain't nobody stronger than goodbye/Sometimes your deepest sorrows let you know that you're alive." Kelly has tended to go personal, but she's never revealed the deep feelings that all of us have quite like this before. Driven by piano, and the instrumented by guitar, Kelly's vocals are filled with emotion. This is the song that lets people know that she's more than the girl whose husband cheated on her with her best friend, and had a hit song out of it. This is the song that shows the true extent of her beautiful, god-given talent.

Kelly named the EP Fire, and it does encompass the theme of the EP. There are songs on this EP about fiery love and emotions, like in the title track and "Getting Over Someone." But fire is also wild and free, as reflected in "Renegade" and "Bad Decisions." Kelly picked an excellent title, as it truly does reflect the meaning of the EP and her music as a whole. The track the EP is named after, "Fire," is also incredible, another reason this is a fitting title for the collection. Speaking of a beautiful love, Kelly uses masterful imagery to describe what she feels for this man, and how she wants to make him feel. Kelly penned this track with Josh Dorr, and the two of them craft a powerful, romantic masterpiece.

As one of CMT's Next Women of Country, Kelly is placed with artists like Lauren Alaina, Jana Kramer, and Kacey Musgraves. Her music, therefore, is placed to an impossibly high standard. But, she proves yet again with this EP that she is a powerful vocalist, but also a beautiful songwriter, and all around incredible artist. She's got the fire in her, and she's ready to show it off.